EFF leader Julius Malema kicked off his first virtual press conference of the year on Thursday afternoon, where he detailed the party’s demands in light of the continued spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Julius Malema holds first press briefing in 2021
The opposition party’s commander-in-chief wasted no time in firing off warning shots regarding the current state of South Africa’s healthcare system.
While admitting that the mutation and subsequent increase in the spread of Covid-19 was outside of the government’s control, Malema condemned the “treatment of the dead like livestock.”
The CIC also announced that due to the adjusted Alert Level 3 restrictions which prohibit political gatherings, the EFF’s annual plenium has been cancelled indefinitely.
Malema’s list of demands to the government
Barring a few technical delays, the EFF leader continued to detail the party’s agenda for this year, which is centred around the following demands:
Postpone local government elections
Malema revealed that the EFF has prepared a proposal document on the future of the electoral system.
In a world where things are consolidated and digitised, the EFF leader believes the time has come for South Africa to merge its general and local government elections into a single process.
The matter, he said, will be proposed to other political parties. If this is approved, then the next local government elections will take place in 2024, along with the next general elections.
“We’re not too far apart with the ANC on this matter,” he said.
Postpone reopening of schools
The EFF leader also warned the Department of Basic Education against reopening schools in two weeks at the height of the second wave.
“We oppose the gambling of the lives of teachers and children,” he said
Close parliament, councils, conduct all legislative duties online
The EFF has called for the cancellation of Parliament and all activities related to the country’s governance. At this time, it remains unclear if important parliamentary events taking place in February (Budget Speech, Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address) will be held in Parliament.
Condemn conspiracy theories about vaccines and population control
Malema is urging South Africans to stop spreading fake news and conspiracy theories claiming that the Covid-19 vaccine carries a microchip.
Reopen land borders, shut down airports
The EFF leader has called on the government to reopen the 20 land borders that were shut down due to high levels of congestion that were witnessed in busy posts over the festive season.
Malema accused Ramaphosa of pandering to the demands of ‘white’ people who rely on air travel, much to the disadvantage of Africans who access South Africa via land.